Horse Race Preview: Grade II Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park

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The Grade II Azeri Stakes is set to take place on March 8, 2025, at Oaklawn Park. This 1 1/16-mile dirt race for fillies and mares aged four and up has a purse of $400,000 and promises to be an exciting event. Let’s dive into the details of the horses, jockeys, trainers, and pedigrees for this race.

Horses and Pedigrees

  1. Thorpedo Anna
    1. Sire: Fast Anna
    1. Dam: Sataves
    1. Breeder: Judy Hicks
    1. Owner: Brookdale Racing, Inc., Mark Edwards, Judy B. Hicks, & Magdalena Racing
    1. Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek
    1. Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
    1. Weight: 121 lbs
  2. Alpine Princess
    1. Sire: Classic Empire
    1. Dam: Le Moine
    1. Breeder: Betz/DJ Stables/Peter V. Lamantia/Classic Empire Syndicate
    1. Owner: Full of Run Racing Two and Madaket Stables LLC
    1. Trainer: Brad H. Cox
    1. Jockey: Cristian A. Torres
    1. Weight: 119 lbs
  3. Jody’s Pride
    1. Sire: American Pharoah
    1. Dam: Jody’s Song
    1. Breeder: Mr. Steve Weston
    1. Owner: Parkland Thoroughbreds and Sportsmen Stable
    1. Trainer: Jorge R. Abreu
    1. Jockey: Ricardo Santana, Jr.
    1. Weight: 119 lbs
  4. Wild Bout Hilary
    1. Sire: Midnight Lute
    1. Dam: Wild Bout Tiffany
    1. Breeder: Clearsky Farms
    1. Owner: 5 Finger Racing
    1. Trainer: Tanner Tracy
    1. Jockey: C.J. McMahon
    1. Weight: 124 lbs
  5. Recharge
    1. Sire: Gun Runner
    1. Dam: Remit
    1. Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
    1. Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
    1. Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
    1. Jockey: Keith J. Asmussen
    1. Weight: 121 lbs
  6. Free Like a Girl
    1. Sire: El Deal
    1. Dam: Flashy Prize
    1. Breeder: Kim Renee Stover & Lisa Osborne
    1. Owner: Gerald Bruno, Jr., Chasey Deville Pomier & Jerry Caroom
    1. Trainer: Chasey Deville Pomier
    1. Jockey: Julien R. Leparoux
    1. Weight: 121 lbs

Race Analysis

Thorpedo Anna enters the Azeri Stakes with a stellar record, having been named the 2024 Horse of the Year. This filly capped her 6-for-7 season by adding the Breeders’ Cup Distaff to her Kentucky Oaks-winning resume. Trained by Kenneth G. McPeek, Thorpedo Anna has shown versatility and dominance in her previous races. With Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. aboard, she will be a strong contender.

Alpine Princess, trained by Brad H. Cox, comes into the Azeri off back-to-back photo runner-up finishes in the Grade 3 Comely at Aqueduct and the Grade 3 Sam Houston Ladies Classic. With Cristian A. Torres as her jockey, she will be looking to make an impact in this race.

Jody’s Pride, trained by Jorge R. Abreu, has improved in her last two starts since being sidelined in April. Her last race was a third-place effort by a neck in the Grade 2 Inside Information at Gulfstream Park. With Ricardo Santana, Jr. aboard, Jody’s Pride will be aiming for a strong finish.

Wild Bout Hilary, trained by Tanner Tracy, has scored wire-to-wire victories in the Pago Hop at Fair Grounds and Oaklawn’s Grade 3 Bayakoa in her last two starts. Unbeaten in three starts over the Azeri’s distance, Wild Bout Hilary will be a strong contender with C.J. McMahon as her jockey.

Recharge, trained by Steven M. Asmussen, rides a three-race winning streak back to Oaklawn Park. Last year’s Sunland Park Oaks winner set the pace in Oaklawn’s Grade 2 Fantasy before tiring to fifth behind Thorpedo Anna in her only other local appearance. With Keith J. Asmussen aboard, Recharge will be looking to continue her winning streak.

Free Like a Girl, trained by Chasey Deville Pomier, is a Louisiana-bred legend with 21 wins out of 48 races. Although she has lost her last three races, including a head photo runner-up in the Grade 3 Bayakoa behind Wild Bout Hilary, she remains a strong contender with Julien R. Leparoux as her jockey.